Optical therapeutic treatment device

Abstract

Methods and devices for Live Biofilm Targeted Thermolysis (LBTT) are disclosed. The disclosed LBTT methods can be used for thermolysis and coagulation of the live periodontal Biofilm with incandescent light and a targeting agent as heat sink. A delivery assembly can be used to deliver the incandescent light generated through the secondary quantum optical and thermal emissions from a carbonized near infrared diode laser delivery fiber, otherwise known as a ‘hot tip,’ to an application region that includes live biofilm. With this novel targeted approach of exploiting the incandescent hot tip's radiant energy (ie. its optical and thermal emissions), the physical nature of the targeted live biofilm in the periodontal pocket is changed from a mucinous liquid-gel, to a semi-solid coagulum, which then facilitates its removal from the effected pocket, with traditional mechanical SRP periodontal techniques.

1 . A method of removing a periodontal biofilm in a subject, comprising:
 administering to a treatment area an effective amount of a targeting agent that selectively absorbs radiation energy and irradiating the treatment area with incandescent light generated by a near-infrared diode laser source; wherein the light is absorbed by the targeting agent; thereby causing thermolysis and elimination of microbes from the treatment area.   
     
     
         2 . A method of eliminating a periodontal biofilm in a subject, comprising: administering to the biofilm an effective amount of a targeting agent and irradiating the biofilm with incandescent light generated by a near-infrared diode laser source; wherein the light is selectively absorbed by the targeting agent, thereby inducing the thermal alteration of the biofilm into a coagulum to facilitate its removal. 
     
     
         3 . A method as in  claim 2  wherein the biofilm is in a periodontal pocket, a peri implant, or a root canal. 
     
     
         4 . A method as in  claim 1  wherein the targeting agent is 1% methylene blue. 
     
     
         5 . A method as in  claim 1  wherein the near-infrared diode laser is a CW laser. 
     
     
         6 . A method as in  claim 1  wherein the near-infrared diode laser is a pulsed laser. 
     
     
         7 . A method as in  claim 1  wherein the near-infrared diode laser has an output power between 0.5-2 Watts. 
     
     
         8 . An optical therapeutic device for elimination of a periodontal biofilm, comprising: a handle and a light emitting probe housing an optical fiber; wherein the optical fiber delivers near infrared diode laser energy to generate incandescent light at its tip in and about a treatment area. 
     
     
         9 . An optical therapeutic device of  claim 8  wherein the handle is reusable. 
     
     
         10 . An optical therapeutic device of  claim 8  wherein the probe is reusable. 
     
     
         11 . An optical therapeutic device of  claim 8  wherein the probe is disposable. 
     
     
         12 . An optical therapeutic device of  claim 8  wherein the probe includes at least one flexible portion to allow positioning of the optical fiber tip in and about a treatment area. 
     
     
         13 . An optical therapeutic device of  claim 8  wherein the optical fiber is configured to deliver energy along its lateral portions. 
     
     
         14 . An optical therapeutic device of  claim 8  wherein the treatment area is a periodontal pocket, a peri implant, or a root canal. 
     
     
         15 . An optical therapeutic device of  claim 8  wherein the near-infrared diode laser is a CW laser. 
     
     
         16 . An optical therapeutic device of  claim 8  wherein the near-infrared diode laser is a pulsed laser. 
     
     
         17 . An optical therapeutic device of  claim 8  wherein the near-infrared diode laser has an output power between 0.5-2 Watts. 
     
     
         18 . A kit for the elimination of a periodontal biofilm comprising:
 (a) a optical therapeutic device including:
 an optical source including means for generating near-infrared laser; and 
 a laser delivery apparatus including a handle and a light emitting probe housing an optical fiber; wherein the optical fiber is used for generating incandescent light at a treatment area, said fiber including: 
 a proximal tip affixed to said optical source; 
 a distal tip at the end of said fiber opposite said proximal tip, wherein the distal tip is positioned in and about the treatment area, and wherein the laser is converted to incandescent light at the distal tip; 
 means for coupling said optical source to said optical fiber, and 
   (b) a targeting agent that is administered to the treatment area; wherein the agent selectively absorbs light energy generated by the optical source; thereby inducing thermolysis.